Next to the underground parking lot, there is a small space that looks like it was manifested from a landlord's greed, wanting to squeeze in one more commercial space for rental income.
The tiny shop occupying that small space… is exactly where I planned to visit today.
A special tattoo shop.
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Dark Exploration Record / Ghost Story
[Moonlight Tattoo Shop]
: A ghost story appearing in the <Dark Exploration Record>. No Identification Code from Daydream Inc. exists.
Currently, the only official Exploration Record of Daydream Inc. regarding this location is a one-time record through ‘It’s Vacant (Qterw-C-818)’.
For more detailed information, Document-#818-15623 (Civilian Interview Record) can be viewed, but its reliability cannot be guaranteed.
==========
Since there’s a description saying the reliability cannot be guaranteed, does that mean it’s dangerous?
Not exactly.
In the first place, the ghost story ‘It’s Vacant,’ which serves as the basis for this one, is a satire on human nature—how people cannot accept good intentions as they are and always try to find a bad reason.
In context, this place can only be a ‘good’ location that doesn’t contradict the civilian interview records.
-Are you going in?
Yeah.
I politely pressed the open button next to the opaque glass door.
Sliiiide.
The door opened, revealing the interior of the tattoo shop.
At first glance, it looks like an ordinary and modest shop. The facilities are slightly shabby but kept clean, and there is a notice at the counter stating that they only take one client at a time.
However, light was pouring down onto the procedure chair in the center.
It was moonlight.
Strangely enough, a transparent LED panel had been installed exactly in the center to make the moon visible. Artificial moonlight was pouring down from there.
‘It’s exactly as described.’
“Is anyone here?”
When I spoke, the owner, who had been sitting at the counter, walked out.
She was a woman in a sleeveless top with a neck full of Hangeul tattoos. Her appearance, with her curly hair tied tightly back, immediately brought keywords like ‘technician’ or ‘artist’ to mind.
“I’d like to have a tattoo consultation, is that possible?”
A nod.
“By any chance, what is the price range?”
The tattooist pointed to the counter wall with a somewhat simple expression.
[Only physical goods accepted.]
That’s right.
They don’t accept regular cash here. Instead, they accept payment in various items that catch the owner’s fancy….
There are also things they give special treatment to.
[Preferential Condition: Items related to the sea]
Thanks to this, civilians who happened to meet this preferential condition sometimes ended up having a very rare experience.
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Document-#818-15623
Civilian: Honestly, I just took a wrong turn. I was trying to go to a tattoo shop in a shopping mall near ■■ Station, but I must have gotten lost because I ended up in a neighborhood with a lot of vacant rooms.
And then I found that tattoo shop in the basement.
I thought it was really unique that they accepted items related to the sea. So, as a test, I showed them an hourglass keychain I had, and they accepted that too.
Then I was guided to the procedure chair in the center.
==========
So, I’ve come here having properly matched this ‘preferential condition’…… for once.
“Would something like this be alright?”
I took out the item I had prepared from my briefcase.
When I opened the rectangular box lined with velvet….
Brilliantly shimmering grains poured out reflected light.
“It’s a strand of pearls.”
“…!”
They were insanely expensive marine pearls.
Akoya White-Green, 10mm in size, perfect spheres with a pink aurora glow that made them look almost holographic—top-tier quality.
‘Actually, there were many more expensive items related to the sea….’
But according to the records of the civilian who visited this place, this owner strangely seemed to prefer items that are significantly affected by the passage of time.
And pearls, being protein, are inevitably affected by the passage of time.
‘Also, it was something I could buy quickly at a Jongno wholesaler in just an hour during my lunch break after a day of searching.’
Just in case, I even excluded South Sea pearls, which are less affected by time, and selected Akoya…
“How is it?”
“…….”
Nod nod nod nod nod.
An intense reaction came back.
The tattooist stared blankly at the luster of the pearl strand for a moment, then carefully took the box I held out.
A flash of joy crossed her simple eyes.
‘I wonder what she uses them for.’
I couldn’t tell.
In any case, as soon as the tattooist organized the box at incredible speed inside the counter, she very politely guided me to the center.
To the place where the chair sat under the moonlight.
“Thank you.”
Soon, the tattooist brought a glass of a large-capacity lemon drink and a large book.
Up to this point, it was just as described.
She brought me a lemon drink and a book. It was like a collection of tattoo designs, and it said ‘Basic No. 3’.
I chose a thumbnail-sized dolphin silhouette and had the procedure done. She told me to close my eyes during the process, and strangely enough, there was no pain.
I turned my eyes to the cover of the book.
If the person who gave the hourglass keychain received ‘Basic No. 3’, what would happen now that I’ve given pearls worth tens of millions of won?
Of course, it might be a too capitalistic way of thinking.
‘After all, this is a small tattoo shop inside a ghost story; such material methods might not work on a mysterious owner….’
[Royal Special Premium No. 1 (Customizable)]
“…….”
It worked… very well.
‘Thank you.’
As expected, money is king everywhere.
Anyway, does this mean the designs in here are at the level of the physical goods I just paid?
‘Hmm.’
Let’s look carefully.
I flipped through the book.
Constellations drawn by splashing water droplets, a polar bear’s claws subtly overlapping with Inuit patterns, and even a scene of a beach at dusk using lingering pastel tones.
It was full of magnificent designs.
If I had really come here with a great passion for tattoos, I would have been admiring them and choosing carefully…
But honestly, that wasn’t what was important to me.
‘This tattoo will disappear by the next day anyway.’
To be precise….
I thought I had dreamed it. I definitely got a tattoo, but it had vanished completely.
But do you know what’s even stranger?
The tattoo received here is ‘absorbed’ by the person who received it.
Suddenly, I became really good at sea swimming.
Just like the dolphin I had tattooed.
In other words, it gives special abilities to a person according to the tattoo design!
‘I absolutely cannot miss this opportunity.’
In the <Dark Exploration Record>, there must be dozens, even hundreds of ghost stories that give talent or abilities to people.
But there are almost none that can be received in such a gentle way, without losing anything, and in an active manner.
In this world full of insane ghost stories where you have to sell your body, sell your soul, or at least sell your conscience to gain anything.
The ‘Moonlight Tattoo Shop’ was truly like a single ray of light within the darkness.
‘I’m definitely taking something good.’
I flipped through the pages of the book, fiercely deducing the abilities of the designs.
-Mr. Roe Deer, I’d like a closer look as well!
Ah. Right. Braun might be able to read into something more.
I carefully took the doll out of my pocket and placed him in front of the book.
-Oh, the artist’s aesthetic sense is quite nice. In my opinion… hm?
The tattooist stared intently at Braun with sparkling eyes.
Then she picked Braun up.
“…! Wa-Wait….”
[Service]
“…….”
-Wait a moment. Please handle me with care, my body is filled with cotton so it doesn’t move well— hmph, mmm, hmmm….
The tattooist put Braun into a basin she brought, then skillfully applied aroma oil to her hands and kneaded the doll, shaping him.
…A meridian massage?
-Whew…. The fatigue from the shoot is washing away…….
The doll was making sounds like a celebrity exhausted from their schedule….
It was certainly a shocking sight that one wouldn’t see in any other ghost story.
Is this… heartwarming?
‘…Let’s just pick a design.’
After thanking the tattooist, who carefully handed back the now-glossy Braun, I began flipping through the pages fiercely again.
However, there were no designs where the ability could be particularly inferred. Only a strange feeling that there were exceptionally many related to the sea.
Well, in that case.
“By any chance, do you have any recommendations?”
What if I just ask openly like this?
“Is there a symbol in here related to courage, or the boldness to step forward without fear?”
Yes. That’s what I seem to need the most after all.
‘Escape being a scaredy-cat…!’
Although I was tempted by the various abilities I could obtain here, my most fundamental and powerful special ability is, ultimately, the <Dark Exploration Record>.
It’s information.
And to use that information properly, having a mental state capable of rational judgment was the top priority.
‘I can’t keep living with a heart that feels like it’s going to faint at any moment…!’
How many times do you think I’ve been on the verge of death because of this coward’s heart!
‘The opportunity to enter the Moonlight Tattoo Shop through this ghost story is only once.’
If so, it’s right to use it for the most urgent matter!
However, asking directly like this was an act not in the records, so I was a bit nervous, but fortunately, the tattooist calmly flipped through the book and pointed to one design.
That design was….
“……A tomato?”
That’s right.
It was a tree with tomatoes hanging from it.
Lines stretched out vigorously with the feel of a somewhat crude pen nib, dynamically depicting branches, leaves, and fruit.
It was lonely, rough, and lyrical.
Color was expressed only in those red fruits. The tomatoes.
‘Why on earth is this related to courage.’
Honestly, I didn’t know, but since this tattooist only communicates through the pre-written book, I couldn’t hear a detailed explanation.
Still, it’s the practitioner’s recommendation, so it must be certain.
“Yes. I’ll go with this one.”
The tattooist nodded pleasantly and took the book back.
“Ah, the location should be here….”
I rolled up my left sleeve.
If I was going to get it anyway, I planned to get it near where I already had tattoos….
“…!”
The tattooist’s expression suddenly changed, and she stood up from her seat.
‘What is it?’
Then she quickly pointed to a notice posted on the wall.
[Procedures may be refused for specific reasons.]
She repeatedly pointed at my arm.
“…!”
No way.
: Socius :
: Benefactor :
“…Can you see these characters?”
Nod, nod.
Her expression said, why are you asking something so obvious. I guess she is a resident of a ghost story too.
No, that’s not what’s important right now.
“Are you saying I can’t get a new tattoo because of these characters?”
Nod.
“Is it also not possible on the other arm or my back?”
Nod.
“……Then, does that mean there’s no way for me to get a new tattoo at all for now?”
Nod….
Damn it!
“I didn’t even get these characters because I wanted to. Is there really no other way? I really wanted to get one….”
My shoulders slumped as if I were greatly discouraged.
The tattooist looked flustered as if contemplating something, and finally pulled something out from the counter.
‘An advertising pamphlet?’
The tattooist flipped through the pamphlet and quickly pointed to a phrase on a page.
[Cover-up available]
[We help with a new transformation of existing tattoos.]
“…!!”
[※ Cover-ups at the Moonlight Tattoo Shop do not hide the existing tattoo but proceed in a direction that maximizes its charm.
Keep the meaning exactly as it is, and meet a new beauty.]
Wait a minute.
So, is this actually… saying she’ll give me an enhancement procedure?
-This is good! The tattoos done by the theme park mascot and the mountain cabin worker were a bit too much. Wouldn’t it be better to make a more aesthetic choice for
yourself?
-Goatsuckers, constellations, the eight trigrams… there were many beautiful patterns! It would be best to cover them up magnificently!
I looked down.
: Socius :
: Benefactor :
“Can I get both done?”
The tattooist shook her head.
‘I can only get one new tattoo, but are cover-ups an exception so she’d do both?’
But I had an instinctive gut feeling.
‘Choosing only one will result in a better job.’
This is a shop, so naturally, it’s a place that provides a tattoo as good as the payment received.
Rather than splitting the value in two, it was better to just pick one if possible.
“…….”
I agonized over it.
And then….
“I would like you to cover just this one.”
I pointed at one of the tattoos with my finger.
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